Question

Topical anesthetics such as proparacaine are frequently utilized to numb the ocular area, to aid in pain management, or to ensure comfort during certain procedures such as gonioscopy. Prolonged use of proparacaine can cause which of the following adverse effects?

-Pupil miosis
-Sloughing of the corneal epithelium
-Corneal arcus
-Fuch's dystrophy
-Cataracts

Answer 1

Prolonged use of the topical anesthetic proparacaine can lead to sloughing of the corneal epithelium, which affects ocular health, but is not typically associated with other conditions like pupil miosis, corneal arcus, Fuch's dystrophy, or cataracts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the adverse effects of prolonged use of proparacaine, a topical anesthetic, is the potential for sloughing of the corneal epithelium. This is a significant complication since the corneal epithelium plays a critical role in ocular health and function, acting as a barrier and aiding in optical clarity. While other options listed, such as pupil miosis, corneal arcus, Fuch's dystrophy, and cataracts, can be related to eye conditions, they are not typically associated with the prolonged use of topical anesthetics like proparacaine.